IDPM Research
Research is central to IDPM's
mission to raise the capabilities of
individuals and organisations
in developing countries.
IDPM staff produce a large number of publications, including working papers available online free of charge.
In the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, a periodic government review of the quality of research in UK universities, 65% of IDPM’s research was assessed as ‘world-class’, and in significant areas was viewed as ‘world-leading’. This means that not only is IDPM contributing at a global level to debates about poverty and development, but in some areas is setting the pace.
Our research focuses on major issues of development policy and practice including poverty alleviation, regulation and competition policy, development finance, human resource and organisational development, development informatics, public sector reform, institutional change, economic and social development, sustainable livelihoods and sustainable development, impact assessment, and resource and environmental management.
Research at IDPM is not viewed as a ‘stand-alone' activity, but as a means for reducing the knowledge gaps and information problems which act as constraints on development, and more generally as a contribution to processes of social transformation towards fairer and more inclusive societies. Hence the importance which we give to the dissemination of research findings and to working with partners in developing countries in ways that strengthen capacities of these organisations to create, mobilize and broker knowledge.
The Institute's research covers the main areas of current development policy and practice, and is driven by the academic and policy-related interests of individual researchers, as well as by the activities of multidisciplinary research groups with interests in specific fields.
Indicators of the quality of IDPM's research confirm the Institute's growing reputation as a centre of research excellence in the field of international development. The Institute hosts a number of world-class research centres focusing on key areas of development policy.
In recognition of IDPM’s path breaking research into poverty since 2000, the University has strategically invested in development studies by laying the foundations for the Brooks World Poverty Institute (BWPI) with total funding of £2.6 million, with the part-time appointment of Professor Joseph Stiglitz to chair its board.
In addition to their standing and visibility in the international academic community, all our staff members have an international reputation in providing research, consultancy, and policy analysis to governments, NGOs and international organisations, and are committed to promoting economic and social development, primarily within lower-income countries and for disadvantaged groups.